Grand opening held for Plattsburgh Waterfront Park

PLATTSBURGH - The city of Plattsburgh now offers a scenic view of Lake Champlain thanks to the completion of a project that's been several years in the making.

City Mayor Donald M. Kasprzak hosted a grand opening of the Plattsburgh Waterfront Park on Dock Street June 19, with several dignitaries and individuals responsible for the park's development in attendance. The project was the culmination of several years of work, Kasprzak explained, and an investment of more than $5 million from various federal, state and local agencies. The development also involved connecting several parcels of waterfront property, including property which once housed a former Canadian Pacific Railway railyard.

Though the project has taken since the early 1990s to complete, Kasprzak said he was proud to see it finally come to fruition.

"This parcel has been developed as a park to remain forever open and wild for the people of Plattsburgh, New York, and the region," said the mayor, who emphasized the importance of such developments. "Developing and preserving open space to benefit the general public should be a priority for all administrations and it has been for many administrations prior to me even being here today."

Kasprzak applauded the efforts of past city mayors Jack Stewart and Daniel Stewart and their administrations for getting the development to where it stands today.

Daniel Stewart said he always envisioned the day would come when the city was able to take advantage of the property's location for all to enjoy. And, though many compare Plattsburgh to Burlington, Vt., he said, Plattsburgh has an advantage over its neighboring city across the lake.

"Look at Burlington's waterfront park and look at this property," said Daniel Stewart. "Tell me which one has a better view, access and ability of use for the constituency. Plattsburgh does."

"Very few cities can say they have what we have," the former mayor continued. "And, for decades to come, people will enjoy what we started a decade ago."